Friday, 2 August 2013

If you're a girly girl or not, there's a pink to suit you this season. Dusky, Candy, Fuchsia or the palest whisper pink, get ready right now for the Autumn/Winter 13/14 trend.... Team with black, brown, dark reds and if you're daring, a lovely terracotta orange. Here are some pashmina and silk shawls that are currently in stock. Enjoy!

Tuesday, 16 July 2013

We're rummaging through our bargain box again, and this time we've found two shawls that are perfect for the summer.

Our super large chiffon shawls are a perennial favourite and here's a chance to grab one at a low price. This is the last shaded Daffodil yellow colour way in stock, and it has a couple of tiny marks mid-centre of the shawl. Not a problem if you buying for yourself! This is a versatile holiday shawl that is large and floaty enough to tie over a bikini by day, and work as a wrap at night. http://www.pashminasdirect.co.uk/Details.asp?ProductID=361

Monday, 20 May 2013

Summer keeps threatening to appear and even if the skies are gloomy in the UK, we can still prepare for sunshine, sea and sand. For this very reason, this month we've got our 100% silk chiffon shawls on special offer. They are a really versatile piece in a large width (125 x 200cms) that allows them to be worn in a variety of ways - for ideas check out my blog (1st May 2009) - and they can be as subtle or as bold as you dare. An on-trend combination for SS13 is the Lemon to Royal Blue. I spied a stunning display this week that teamed these two colours with white. Get the look and make an impact!

Black to White, Aqua to Coral, Café au Lait to paler, Pale Blue to paler, Turquoise to paler, Lemon to Royal Blue, Orange to Lime , Lemon to Lime. Delicious!

Wednesday, 6 March 2013

Jacquard weave shawls can be an unappreciated bunch, but if you want a flattering pashmina that combines classic good looks with a bit of pizzazz, then look no further.
After all, this technique created a textile revolution when it was introduced in the early 1800s and we know that the Georgians had an eye for style!

Special looms are required for the jacquard weave and setting up each weaving pattern can be a time consuming process for complicated bespoke weaves. This is a shawl that requires some effort! The threads pass through a pattern card above the loom, and the holes that they pass through determines their position on the finished design.
This can give different effects - for example the increased texture as well as the visual impact of the chevron striped herringbone jacquard. You can see the silk threads catching the light on their chevron - the cashmere chevrons alternate with them. http://www.pashminasdirect.co.uk/Details.asp?ProductID=179 This weave is also available in the 45 x 180cms size in Rainbow Stripe PD056 and on the Men's page PD056M in various colourways

One of the most femine and traditional patterns is the flower jacquard, seen here in a lightweight summer weave. The flowers are subtly picked out in silk on one side and in cashmere on the reverse - the pattern just shows as a whisper as the shawl moves. Only one of each colour is currently available http://www.pashminasdirect.co.uk/Details.asp?ProductID=213

Our lovely Heraldry weave is a big bold sweeping fleur de lys that runs the length of the shawl. Here you can see the detail of the design which is hinted at when it is worn. The flashes of light and shade in such a large jacquard break up the block colour of the shawl and give a luxurious effect. This Navy Blue is new to our stock and it suits this jacquard weave perfectly. It is a dark and true navy that is darker than it appears on this picture which I have highlighted so that the weave is obvious. http://www.pashminasdirect.co.uk/Details.asp?ProductID=614 This shawl is also available in Terracotta, Brick Red and Chestnut Brown under code PD100 and with a short fringe in Pale Lilac or Pewter Grey PD100SF.

Popping out amongst the neutrals shades this Spring 2013 are some lovely citrus highlights. Predominantly vibrant shades of yellowy green or orange, they kick away the gloom of our winter wardrobes and offer the hope that summer might be round the corner...
Even in fashion we have to face reality occasionally - especially when we're freezing in the still wintry wind; so here are some fashion colours from among our collection to keep you warm as well as on trend. Why should we always suffer for The Look?

Friday, 11 January 2013

I'm featuring one of our winter sale items that is new to Pashminas Direct. Previously exclusive to our luxury sister site www.mayfair-valley.co.uk, these Pashmina Cashmere and Kattan Silk lightweight shawls have been available at the RRP of £230.
As only one of each colour of these beautiful hand embroidered shawls is now in stock, we're able to offer them at a final clearance price of £75.00! A designer shawl at a cheeky price! Available in Turquoise, Rose Pink, Palest Peach or Grass Green.http://www.pashminasdirect.co.uk/Details.asp?ProductID=259

The lightweight weave is a useful weight of shawl for the summer. It wards off the sun and also the cashmere content (70% pashmina cashmere/30% silk as usual) gives a little warmth to counteract air-conditioning. The summer weight is exactly the same proportion of cashmere to silk as in our regular shawls and scarves, however the fibres are spun to be finer.

In this case the Kattan Silk gives a slightly different texture to normal summer weight blends. It adds a little solidity to the weave so that it holds a firmer shape rather than draping like water. In effect it stands a little proud, like all good occasion wear stoles do!